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Radiofrequency technology, a non-invasive approach to resurfacing the skin, was the topic of the moment at a Girls Night Out earlier this month at The Lobby Lounge in the heart of New York’s Times Square. Kate Gilbert, managing director of marketing, Solta Medical, Inc., introduced the Thermage and Fraxel Best Friends Forever campaign, and highlighted the technology that is designed to tighten and contour the skin, as well as stimulate new collagen growth. Gilbert described the Best Friends Forever Facebook contest, which may be found on the “Thermage + Fraxel” Facebook page, as an opportunity for individuals to submit a photo and story about themselves and their BFFs, to become eligible for a custom Thermage and Fraxel treatment package.

Thermage and Fraxel are treatments for skin tightening and skin resurfacing that are designed to offer safe and effective ways to maintain youthful looking skin, without the risks, discomfort, or prolonged downtime of more invasive procedures. The procedures address fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and sun damage, as well as melasma, for both the face and the hands, and the complementary nature of the treatments mark a new breakthrough in resurfacing technology. Fraxel is designed to clear pigmentation in a non-invasive manner, eliminating brown spots and wrinkles.

Dr. Anne Chapas, dermatologist, Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, said, “Fraxel provides a much fresher appearance to the skin, resurfacing, and refreshing to stimulate collagen.” In combination, Thermage and Fraxel are said to create a natural improvement in texture and pigmentation.

Chapas noted that Thermage is a non-invasive procedure that helps tighten and firm the skin, improves contours, and gives natural results without surgery or injections. It also requires little to no downtime, which is increasingly important to clients. Highlighting the new Thermage CPT System, which delivers heat across the treatment area, allowing for a more efficient skin tightening treatment, Chapas cited excellent skin rejuvenation results. Utilizing Comfort Pulse Technology (CPT), the most recent addition to the Thermage product family, causes collagen to firm and contract.

Noting the applicability of the treatments to a wide range of skin tones, Chapas said, “Thermage is a radio frequency technology that is color blind and may be used on all skin tones and on all body parts, including the abdomen, arms, and legs. It is also an ideal post-pregnancy treatment to tighten and contour abdominal skin.”

The second new technology introduced is the Fraxel Re:Store Dual Laser System, which was designed to provide results for large body areas during a single treatment. Prior to the non-ablative Fraxel Re:Store Dual System, laser resurfacing procedures were largely limited to the face. The Fraxel Re:Store Dual takes the fractional laser technology to the next level by adding a novel 1927 nm wavelength, said to be the first application of a Thulium laser in the aesthetics market, which is optimized for treatment of pigmentation and other superficial skin conditions. Each approach is designed with superior patient comfort, little or no downtime, and efficacy in mind.

“When Thermage and Fraxel merged last year it was really synergistic, as both help to renew and restore collagen. Thermage delivers radiofrequency energy to the deeper dermis, while Fraxel laser skin treatment works on the outer layers of the skin,” added Chapas.

Solta Medical, Inc. is a leader in the medical aesthetics market providing effective, safe anti-aging solutions for patients that expand the practice of medical aesthetics for physicians. While Thermage tightens and contours the skin in a non-invasive radiofrequency procedure, Fraxel delivers a resurfacing solution for aging and sun damaged skin.